Officials affirmed that the vision of the wise leadership has contributed to building an advanced and active generation that takes part in the nation’s development journey and in shaping its future. They noted that the UAE has made investment in people and youth empowerment key pillars supporting its progress, leadership, and global standing.
On the occasion of International Youth Day, observed annually on August 12, they explained that the next phase calls for continued development of initiatives and programs that help build a generation equipped with the tools of the future and capable of leading the path toward sustainable development. They stressed that Emirati youth possess tremendous energy, ambitious ideas, and a strong capacity for creativity and innovation.
On this occasion, Sheikha Hind bint Majid Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Business Women Council, said: “On International Youth Day, we affirm that our youth today possess an enormous wealth of awareness and knowledge, along with an intelligent understanding of the changes shaping the modern economy. But true achievement lies in moving these creative minds from the stage of ‘thinking and planning’ to the field of ‘implementation and impact.’”
She added: “The world today does not reward those who wait for ideal circumstances. Rather, it clears the way for those who have the courage to take the first step and who see every challenge as an opportunity to learn and develop themselves.
At the Sharjah Business Women Council, we do not merely believe in these capabilities; we translate that belief into a real working environment that supports young female entrepreneurs, especially school and university students, in discovering their abilities and developing their ideas.
We pave the way for them to turn their ideas into viable projects, while providing them with knowledge, guidance, professional networks, and hands-on experience that support their launch with confidence. Our message to our youth remains that they should make passion their fuel and courage their approach. We stand with them step by step to transform every promising idea into a success story that enriches our economy and society.”
Leadership Vision
Her Excellency Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Director General of the Community Development Authority in Dubai, affirmed that the occasion reflects the position young people hold in Dubai as key partners in development and a central force in building the future. She noted that the vision of the wise leadership has established investment in people and youth empowerment as a sustainable approach that has supported the emirate’s leadership and global standing.
Her Excellency said: “At the Community Development Authority, we continue to develop an integrated social ecosystem that believes pioneering development begins with investing in people and is based on a flexible approach and proactive services that empower young people to develop their capabilities and enhance their participation in development and in creating social impact, contributing to the building of a more prosperous and cohesive society.”
Her Excellency added that this approach is aligned with the goals of the “Dubai Social Agenda 33,” which places people at the heart of development and seeks to enhance quality of life and build a more cohesive society. She stressed that young people are key partners in achieving development goals, supporting Dubai’s progress, and strengthening its position as a global model for human development and quality of life.
Positive Change
Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, said young people represent an active force in the development of societies because of the energy, ambitious ideas, and strong capacity for creativity and innovation they possess. She noted that the wise leadership has long recognized the importance of investing in youth and has worked to encourage their participation in creating positive change and improving community well-being.
She emphasized that International Youth Day is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of those shaping the future, strengthen their active presence, and provide opportunities that allow them to turn their aspirations into reality.
She said: “This year’s theme, ‘Different Contexts, Shared Aspirations,’ and the ideas it conveys reflect the reality of young people around the world, who share common aspirations for knowledge, education, employment, and access to a supportive environment for growth and development that enables them to contribute to development and shape the future.”
She added: “Through its forward-looking vision, the wise leadership has been committed to empowering young people and encouraging them to contribute to the development journey. Dubai Culture continues to follow this approach by launching high-quality projects and programs that help young people refine their talents and open broad spaces for expression, dialogue, and knowledge exchange, enabling them to enrich the cultural landscape and support the development of a sustainable creative economy.”
Ahmed Darwish Al Muhairi, Director General of the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai, said: “International Youth Day is an occasion to renew our pride in the pivotal role young people play in building nations and shaping their future.
It is also an opportunity to affirm that empowering them is no longer an option, but a strategic approach adopted by the UAE, which has made youth key partners in development and given them the trust and full space needed for creativity, innovation, and decision-making, making the UAE a global model for investing in people and empowering young national talent.”
He added: “Based on our leadership responsibility, we will continue investing in the department’s young people, expanding their participation, and empowering them to lead initiatives and high-quality projects, because we believe that the future of institutions begins with youth, and that giving them opportunity, trust, and support is the best path to building leaders capable of continuing Dubai’s journey and reinforcing its leadership across various fields.”
Knowledge Societies
Jamal bin Huwaireb, CEO of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, affirmed that young people are the active element in building knowledge societies capable of keeping pace with rapid changes, and that they are the main driving force behind a more prosperous and advanced future based on knowledge and innovation.
He said: “At the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, we proceed from a firm belief in the importance of empowering youth by providing high-quality knowledge, strengthening future skills, and creating opportunities that help them transform their ideas into tangible achievements. We continue to develop initiatives and launch programs aimed at building a generation equipped with the tools of the future.
A generation capable of leading the sustainable development journey at both the regional and global levels, in line with the UAE’s vision of investing in human capital as the true wealth and the foundation of development and modernization.”
He added: “The Foundation’s pioneering initiatives, foremost among them the Knowledge Youth Forum, Future Skills Academy, Global Knowledge Index, Knowledge Summit, and Dubai International Program for Writing, along with our strategic partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, reflect our commitment to strengthening the knowledge economy.
They also empower young people with the digital, leadership, and knowledge skills they need, enhancing their ability to create, innovate, and contribute effectively to sustainable development.”
Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, Director General of the Emirates Drug Establishment, affirmed that the occasion is a renewed opportunity to take pride in Emirati youth, who embody the spirit and ambition of the nation and confidently carry the responsibility of participating in the country’s development and leadership journey, guided by the vision of the wise leadership, which believes that investing in people is the enduring path toward building the future.
She said: “Our youth have proven across different fields that they are an active force in achievement, thanks to the knowledge, expertise, sense of belonging, and ability they possess to turn ambition into action and ideas into impact that serves the nation and society,” adding that the establishment views younger generations as partners in developing a more sustainable and efficient pharmaceutical sector that contributes to improving quality of life and protecting human health.
She explained that the “Emirates Drug Establishment” continues to refine and empower its young national talent by supporting their participation in regulation, oversight, research, innovation, and medical product safety, so they remain, as the UAE has always known them, a source of loyalty and contribution and bearers of the banner of progress in every field.
Dr. Ahmad Saeed bin Meshar Al Muhairi, Secretary General of the Supreme Legislation Committee in the Emirate of Dubai, said:
“We celebrate the creative innovations and limitless energy of the young generation who carry the hopes and aspirations of their societies in achieving sustainable development goals and building a more prosperous and brighter future for their nations.”
He added: “This day is an annual occasion that reminds us of the importance of empowering young people and equipping them with all the tools needed to activate their participation across all fields and expand the opportunities available to them.
Recognizing their pivotal role in driving progress, the UAE has, over past decades, consolidated its leadership in youth empowerment, translating the forward-looking vision and wise directives of the leadership into action. This approach is reflected in the distinguished presence of our young men and women in decision-making positions across vital sectors and in their growing contributions to achieving our nation’s ambitions.”
A Global Model
Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor of Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University, said: “The occasion is an opportunity to affirm that the future of nations is no longer measured by the size of their natural resources, but by their ability to prepare young people who possess knowledge, flexibility, and the ability to lead change in a world evolving at an unprecedented pace.
The future is not made by time; it is made by young people who possess the ability to learn continuously, adapt to change, and turn ideas into impact. Therefore, real investment in youth is not simply investment in their education, but in building a mindset capable of relearning, innovating, and creating opportunities whenever the world changes.”
He explained that what the UAE has achieved in youth empowerment represents a global model for investing in people, supported by the vision of the wise leadership, which has made young people partners in decision-making, leaders across various sectors, and contributors to shaping the country’s future.
He noted that this approach has strengthened the UAE’s readiness for the requirements of the future economy by preparing a generation capable of dealing with rapid technological and knowledge-based transformations.
He added: “The world today is witnessing a historic transformation led by artificial intelligence applications and advanced technologies, creating a new reality for education and the labor market. The challenge is no longer about providing knowledge, but about preparing young people who possess critical-thinking skills, the ability to learn throughout life, and the capacity to work in environments that are constantly changing.”
Ahmed bin Shafar, CEO of Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation, said: “This year’s celebration of the occasion under the theme ‘Different Contexts, Shared Aspirations’ confirms that the diversity of environments in which young people live does not eliminate the unity of their ambitions to gain knowledge, participate in decision-making, and access opportunities that allow them to demonstrate their capabilities and build their future.
From this perspective, youth empowerment is not measured by the number of initiatives directed at them, but by the amount of space we give them to take responsibility, lead projects, and turn their ideas into measurable results. He added: “At Empower, we view young talent as a productive force for knowledge, not merely as beneficiaries of accumulated experience. The district cooling sector provides broad opportunities for young people to develop solutions at the intersection of engineering, data, artificial intelligence, energy efficiency, and climate action.
For this reason, we are committed to linking professional development with real operational challenges and giving young people the opportunity to participate in improving performance, innovating solutions, and designing models that are more sustainable and efficient. Real investment in youth also begins with trusting their ability to achieve and giving them the tools and authority that turn their ambitions into impact.”
